LSIM 703...What's the heck is wrong with ME?

dhart86

I just picked up a pair of Lsim 703's a very nice speaker as all have said before me. I think that it really sounds good, but after listening to my SDA 1C's for so long, I really prefer the sound of the SDA's. I like the laid back sound moreso than a forward sounding speaker. The Lsim's aren't "bright" by any means....but slightly more forward than the vintage polks

I listen to mostly jazz, and while the imaging on the Lsim's are great, I kinda miss the soundstage that the SDA's present. I only got about 25 hrs or so on the Lsim's so I am hoping that more break-in time might warrant a change. I really want to like the 703's

Can anyone tell me their experience with this speaker as it relates the changes in presentation after break-in?

EndersShadow

dhart, if it makes you feel any better I had the 703 demo set for about a month. I found that I preferred the soundstage of the LSi 9's (stock or modded did A/B/C with all 3). And there were 4 of us there and we all prefered the stock 9's over the 703's.

When I got them home I compared em to my 15's off a HK 3490 and still liked the 15's soundstage over the 703's (again confirmed by 2 additional unbiased non audiophile people).

That said I am one of very few that didnt like them MORE than the LSi series speakers. Perhaps the break in takes longer than I had them for, but I found them sonically quite nice, however the soundstage to me wasnt as wide, nor was it as engaging a speaker to my ears.

I am sure the guys that own em will chime in soon.

nhhiep

I've been using the 703 for 6 months now and feel the same way. last month, I sold the 1C with upgrade tweeters by force (from my wife) and still miss it. lsi9 sounds a little warmer compare to the 703. if strictly for jazz, 1C is the best, but for everything else, lsim is better.

nooshinjohn

I also had the 703's... Thankfully a friend of mine LOVED them and now has them set up in his bachelor pad. They were nice to play with but not my cup of tea. With all these threads basically BEGGING for something new in the SDA family for two channel, you would think that the good folks at Polk would hear our pleas...

deronb1

Well....sounds like we might have some 703s on the for sale thread soon

heartystatue

I'm with ya noonshin. I wish they would bring back the SDA line in some form. IIRC there was someone from polk that started a thread here not too long ago asking this very thing. A lot of us said the same thing.

dhart86

deronb1 wrote: »

Well....sounds like we might have some 703s on the for sale thread soon

Possible???
You interested???

cfrizz

heartystatue wrote: »

I'm with ya noonshin. I wish they would bring back the SDA line in some form. IIRC there was someone from polk that started a thread here not too long ago asking this very thing. A lot of us said the same thing.

They already have in the surround bar. That's as close as you will ever get to it. Polk has moved on as well it should to keep current with what the majority of their customers want.

nooshinjohn

Agreed Cathy, that's why I am doing it myself. I am well aware of the soundbar as well. That is why I stated in my post that I am looking for a stereo pair. As far as it never happening from Polk, there is nothing wrong with wishful thinking. Many manufacturers have "Heritage" lines in their portfolio. Polk even launched a Heritage Series recently, and I am sure more than people than just me clicked on that link hoping to find something better than retro-looking product inside.

nhhiep

yep. Polk should continue making SDA speakers. Klipsch is doing it. sadly, like other companies, Polk is a business afterall.

http://www.klipsch.com/heritage-floorstanding-speakers

mantis

I'm way on the other side of the fence. I really thought the LSIM703's where the best sounding polk speakers I have ever heard to date. I have heard everything they made since the 70's and I owned many different models including the SDA-2B's. I actually liked my RT1000p's over the SDA's as I had them both at the same time.
Montior 10B's where really nice but the LSIM703's IMO a much more accurate speaker. Honestly though we all like what we like and you can't force yourself to like a speaker. Either you do or you don't. If your SDA's are your cup of Tea then by all means work on making them the best they can be with better wire, amps, placement etc.

dhart86

Psssst: Um fellers......this is about the 703's
EndersShadow, nhhiep and nooshinjohn thanks for your comments, at least now I don't feel so crazy.
However, I am listening to them now and they (or my ears) are breaking in and I am beginning to appreciate the sound a little more.

Anybody else want to share thier experience with then?

mantis

I have a few reviews of these speakers on here, here is one of them. Enjoy.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?126293-Final-Review-of-the-LSIM703-s

PolkieMan

Yea kinda brings a tear, when I saw Polk Heritage I thought too it would be like a SDA speaker, maybe smaller. But it's all about the money. But I am glad for this thread I didn't think a 703 would be my SDA 1C replacement.

nhhiep wrote: »

yep. Polk should continue making SDA speakers. Klipsch is doing it. sadly, like other companies, Polk is a business afterall.

http://www.klipsch.com/heritage-floorstanding-speakers

mantis

Here is another one which is all in the same time frame.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?125851-Mantis-Offical-Review-Hang-out-of-the-LSIM703-s.

treitz3

If memory serves me correctly, I heard these at this past year's Polkfest and I can say with complete certainty that properly powered and with a good source, these can sound incredible for a bookie. They are not an SDA speaker, so one shouldn't expect them to be. With that said, Polk did right with this speaker. One of the better offerings from Polk today IMO. Unfortunately, I can not comment on how things change after use because of the limited exposure I had with them.

Tom

dhart86

mantis wrote: »

Here is another one which is all in the same time frame.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?125851-Mantis-Offical-Review-Hang-out-of-the-LSIM703-s.

Very nice review Dan....thanks
I'll give'em more time

AsSiMiLaTeD

mantis wrote: »

I'm way on the other side of the fence. I really thought the LSIM703's where the best sounding polk speakers I have ever heard to date. I have heard everything they made since the 70's and I owned many different models including the SDA-2B's. I actually liked my RT1000p's over the SDA's as I had them both at the same time.
Montior 10B's where really nice but the LSIM703's IMO a much more accurate speaker. Honestly though we all like what we like and you can't force yourself to like a speaker. Either you do or you don't. If your SDA's are your cup of Tea then by all means work on making them the best they can be with better wire, amps, placement etc.

Agree with this 100%, the 703 is also the most resolving speaker I've heard from Polk, on the right gear.

Inspector 24

Inquiring minds want to know...What's the 'right' gear for the 703's?

WLDock

DSkip wrote: »

I don't think many will be favorable of the TOTL Polk's until they move away from the ring-radiator tweeter. It has improved, but I still find that to be the biggest hurdle.

What do you think are the drawbacks of the ring? or Polk's iteration of it?

Dawgfish

I currently own 703s as well as modded SRS 2s and stock CRSs (as well as some other speakers). Comparing 703s to 1Cs is definitely an apples to oranges comparison. Hello large full range speakers compared to bookies? Having said that I like my 703s as much as my SRS 2s. Both are awesome and both have their strengths. There is no substitute for the SDA soundstage, but I'm constantly amazed how well the 703s fill a room with sound, their pinpoint imaging, dynamics, and overall resolution. As an FYI my 703s didn't really open up till I had about 120 hours on them. They continued to open up till about 200 hours of playing time. The soundstage width/depth are the best I've heard out of a bookie. Keep on playing em, they only get better. I could never get rid of my 703s now.

tonyb

Inspector 24 wrote: »

Inquiring minds want to know...What's the 'right' gear for the 703's?

Lend us your ears for that answer.

Guys, SDA's are not coming back. You'll need to get over that or move on to another speaker brand. That said, some of you are comparing a more accurate speaker such as the LSIM's to a less accurate speaker in the SDA's....and liking the SDA's better. This observation goes along with what I continuously say about accuracy and ruler flat responses. Not always desirable. Regardless of what a graph/chart/ measurements dictate, your ears are always the final judge,jury, and executioner.

Dawgfish

Inspector 24 wrote: »

Inquiring minds want to know...What's the 'right' gear for the 703's?

Most people who really enjoy the 703s I've spoken with run tubes, including myself. Of course everything matters. Run decent quality components and cables with a tonal balance that is neutral to warm. They seem to respond better with gear on that side of things versus bright.

PSOVLSK

703's and 1C's shouldn't be compared in my opinion. Two entirely different speakers.

Aside from the obvious difference of floorstander vs bookie, it's a BIG floorstander. Placement is huge with the 1C's and can be difficult. I had a pair of 1C's and I loved them, but they never sounded their best in my house because I didn't have a good room for them...except the living room where my wife wouldn't allow them. That being said, if I had a room conducive to having 1C's, I'd pick them all day over the 703 and that's no knock on the 703.

I just sold off all my LSi's (7's, 9's, and modded 15's) because I feel the 703 is the better speaker. More clarity, deeper/tighter bass compared to the 7's and 9's. The 15's gave them a run for the money, but again, room size and placement were an issue with the 15's in my house. To me it seems crazy for someone to prefer the 9's over the 703's, but there are those who do. I wish I did and I'd still have about 2 grand in the bank and I'd still be enjoying my 7's, 9's, and 15's:)

Inspector 24

tonyb wrote: »

Lend us your ears for that answer.

Ah Ha, I see what you did there.

Most people who really enjoy the 703s I've spoken with run tubes, including myself. Of course everything matters. Run decent quality components and cables with a tonal balance that is neutral to warm. They seem to respond better with gear on that side of things versus bright.

So, basically not crap gear? So my Marantz/Parasound Panny DMP-BDT500 combo and some Blue Jeans cables should do them justice?

PSOVLSK

I think they sound pretty good and my Peachtree Nova and on my Pio SC-05 with a NAD T-955 amp. I know they could sound better, but I'm very happy with them.

Dawgfish

Inspector 24 wrote: »

Ah Ha, I see what you did there.



So, basically not crap gear? So my Marantz/Parasound Panny DMP-BDT500 combo and some Blue Jeans cables should do them justice?

Well it's hard to say that you would like the sound not knowing your preferences, music styles, and listening preference. My gut feeling is it would sound pretty darn good with your gear since both the Marantz and Parasound have a warmer tonal balance. That's just my opinion though, ymmv.

TNHNDYMAN

Loving my 703's on decent gear. Parasound P/ LD 2000 pre, Rotel RB981 130 WPC amp, Kimber Kable wire, with the Peachtree Dac it as the main source. I never had any LSi's so I can't compare the two and it's not a fair nor reasonable comparison to the 2.3TL SDA's I had before them but the 703's are great on their own and when supplemented with a HSU VTF 12 sub they are great in my opinion.

Inspector 24

Dawgfish wrote: »

Well it's hard to say that you would like the sound not knowing your preferences, music styles, and listening preference. My gut feeling is it would sound pretty darn good with your gear since both the Marantz and Parasound have a warmer tonal balance. That's just my opinion though, ymmv.

Well, I have RTi's and am fully aware of their tendency towards brightness, but with plenty of power they mellow out quite a bit.

Music is all over the place, comfortable at ~85db depending on the music and my mood, go for a couple hours at a time normally.

Based on what you've said, I bet I would like them a lot.

Hopefully I'll find space in my hobby budget(s) to try some out, or grab some second hand for a screaming deal.

blehmbo

Moving from lsi9s to lsim703s I was initially disappointed enough to consider selling them. They seemed a bit bright and the low frequencies seemed to be anemic. After about a week and a half of heavy use these issues started to disappear. I'm very happy with them now and think they'll stay in my system for a long time.

WLDock

Some like detailed and forward and some like laid back, and some like in between. Dome, ring, ribbon, horn, etc...nice to have choices...as with today's driver design tools, measurement design tools, etc many speakers are more accurate. However, it always comes back to subjectivity....what the ears like and how the sound is perceived.

The LSiM may be their more accurate speaker to date...but some may not like it.